Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-05-06
The Governors Statement.

SEMPLE STATES HIS VIEWS
TO THE PEOPLE OF sEATTLE-HIS
ACTION ON LAST SATURDAY AND THE
REASONS FOR IT.
To THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE:-I
deem it proper to make an official
statement to you of the facts in regard
to my recent action by which you
were affected, and of my reasons
therefor.
On Saturday last, about 6P. NJ, be-
ing in Olympia, l received telegram
from Hon. w. II. White, United
States Attorney, to the effect that an
attempt would be made that night to
forcibly expel the Chinese residents of
Seattle. l had been informed before,
that other circumstances, viewed in
the light of preceding events, raised
the presumption that the attempt, if
made, would be with formidable
force. On receipt of this message l
made inquiry as to the quickest way
of reaching Seattle in person, and soon
found that the only conveyance was
small steamer that could leave Olym-
pia at $50 P. NJ. and reach Seattle
about 6 A. M. Finding l could not
possibly arrive in Seattle before the
hour at which l had been led to be-
lieve a disturbance would occur, /
deemed it prudent to communicate
with the local authorities by telegraph.
Accordingly, l telegraphed the Mayor,
upon whom the duty first devOlved of
preserving order within the municipal
ity, apprising him of the nature of my
information, and requesting him to
take such precautions as might seem
necessary to prevent the success Of
any attempt to violate the law. re-
quested him, in case the forces at his
disposal were insufficient to preserve
order, to apply for assistance to the
Sheriff. sent, at the same time, a
telegram to the Sheriff, requesting
him to hold himself in readiness to
render assistance to the Mayor, if
called upon, and if their joint forces
were not sufficient, to call upon Gen
eral Hill, of the National Guard. ]
telegraphed General Hill to hold him.
self in readiness to render assistance to
the civil officers, if called upon, and if
in his opinion it seemed necessary, to
assemble the troops in their armOries.
He was to hold himself and command
in readiness to assist the civil au-
thorities when they called upon him.
l made these formidable prepare
tions because l believe it to be a sound
principle of Executive policy to meet
a disturbance promptly, with an over
whelming force, and make the enforce
ment of the laws a question of expense
instead of question Of life or death.
Then foresaw that my action in this
case would be governing precedent
and / did not desire to utter an uncer-
tain sound.
Having thus provided for bringing
the whole power of the county, in reg
ular order, to bear upon any disturb
ing force that might appear, I went on
board a steam launch and proceeded
towards Seattle as rapidly as possible.
Upon my arrival l found the city re-
posing in peace and quietness, many
of her people not being aware, until
late in the day, that anybody had been
alarmed the night before, or that any
unusual thing had happened. Wheth-
er the fact be that there had been no
design, on the part of any one, to ex-
pei the Chinese or that the design had
been formed, but was frustrated by
the preparations to defeat it, will re-
main an open question.
found several earnest men who
think the danger was real, but the
bulk of opinion is to the effect that
there was no danger of riot and no
design to remove the Cinnamon by I'M
lawful means. This, fellow citizens, is
what has been done in this case. de-
sire to say that, in my opinion, your
local officers could and would have
suppressed any disturbance that was
possible at this time, with the means
at their command. Your Mayor and
Sheriff, both elected by a vote of the
people, and sworn to obey and uphold
the laws, have given me assurances
that they will be vigilant and vigorous
in the maintenance of the laws, aud
citizens of all shades of opinion have
given me assurances that they will re-
spond, as a posse, whenever their SER
vices are required. It is utterly inn
possible for me to conceive that men
can talk to me, in this regard, as they
have talked to me in the last few days,
and be insincere. l earnestly COM
mend you all, therefore, to have conf
dence in your local officers and resent,
instead Of soliciting outside interior
ence. You should spurn the imputa-
ton that you cannot manage your
own governmental affairs, and you
should Indignantly deny that the dis
turbance breeding element of your
city is respectable in numbers.
make this statement, not as an ex-
cuse for my action, for after this much
lapse of time / still think my action
was right, but because, according to
my understanding of the nature of
American. institutions, free people
who can read and write are entitled to
an official statement, in every such
case, as soon after the event as posi-
BILE. This has been an unfortunate
episode, but trust it may be the last
one of the kind. have talked to you
all about the situation and have ven
tured to give you some advice in re-
gard to the future.
With the kindest regard for all the
people of this city, and with the as
surance that if my humble efforts
shall result in the restorntion of good
feeling in this community, l will con-
slider it the greatest achievement of my
life.
/ have the honor, my fellow-citizens,
to remain Your ohedient servant.